Annual Colorado State University Veterinary Hospital Open House Features Chickens, Miniature Horses and Family Fun April 5-6

Did you ever want to raise a chicken, but didn’t know how to start? Or wonder how veterinarians work with equine athletes? Come learn about chickens, pet some animals and experience the Colorado State University James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital – one of the nation’s best – as part of its annual community open house on April 5-6.

The open house is free and open to the public. Ample parking is available on site at 300 W. Drake Road in Fort Collins.

On Friday, April 5, Dr. Kristy Pabilonia will conduct a seminar on how to raise your own backyard chickens and will provide a live demonstration as part of the open house activities. Dr. Melissa King will also present a talk on equine athletes and their care at CSU.

Registration is required for Pabilonia’s talk because space is limited. To reserve a spot, call (970) 297-1269.

Other presentations, demonstrations and workshops will be available for children and adults on Saturday, April 6. Tours of the hospital will be available every 15 minutes throughout the day. Outside animals will not be permitted into the open house.

In addition to a petting zoo that will feature miniature horses and 25 student-run booths, the schedule of events includes:

Friday, April 5, 2013

6-8:30 p.m. – Dr. Kristy Pabilonia will talk about the “The Basics of Raising Backyard Chickens” and host a live chicken demonstration. Registration is required for this event by calling (970) 297-1269.

7 p.m. – Dr. Melissa King, a veterinarian with the Orthopaedic Research Center, and Gait and Equine Sports Medicine Coordinator, will talk about equine sports medicine and the role it plays in the life of an equine athlete. The seminar will be immediately north of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Diagnostic Medicine Center, 300 W. Drake Road, Building C, Room 101. Parking is available next to the building.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

9:30-10:30 a.m. – “Weird, Wild and Wacky” by Dr. Matt Johnston, who will discuss zoological medicine at CSU. Talk will include stories from years of treating birds, lizards, fish and other exotic animals.

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – “Equine First Aid Lecture and Workshop” by Dr. Dean Hendrickson, who will provide hands-on learning for how to handle equine emergencies.

12:30-1:30 p.m. – CSU Community Practice veterinarian Dr. Rebecca Ruch-Gallie will discuss “What CSU Does for the Community.”

12:30-2:30 p.m. – Back-to-back, one-hour demonstrations by Officer Sean Giddings with the Fort Collins Police Canine Unit on how canines and police work together to combat crime.

1:30-2:30 p.m. – Dr. Sherri Stewart, “So You Want to be a Veterinarian?” will discuss what to expect and how to prepare if you are interested in becoming a vet.

2:30-3:30 p.m. – “Understanding Your Cat’s Appetite: Nutrition in Cats and Tips and Tricks for Feeding the Finicky Feline,” by Dr. Jessica Quimby. Presentation will help cat owners learn how to keep their picky cats eating nutritionally.

Large groups are encouraged to RSVP in advance at (970) 297-1269. For more information, visit http://col.st/15QJzcg.

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